Two people are dead following a head-on collision Monday evening (June 12, 2000) that occurred on Akoni Pule Highway (Route 270) near the 18-mile marker and fronting the Pukea Bay Ranch in North Kohala.

The victims were identified as Clifford Ignacio, 52, of Kawaihae, and Emily Stark, 90, of Hawi. Responding to an 8:01 p.m. call, police officers determined that Ignacio was driving a 1987 Nissan north on Route 270 in the southbound lane when his car collided head on with a 1998 Suzuki station wagon driven by Stark.

After the collision, Ignacio was transported to the Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 2:15 a.m. Tuesday. Stark was taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital, where she later died of injuries sustained in the crash. She was pronounced dead at 11:35 p.m. on Monday (June 12, 2000).

The front seat passenger in Stark’s vehicle, Dr. Barton Eveleth, 85, of Hawi, was also transported to the North Hawaii Community Hospital, where he remained in critical condition.

Speed and alcohol are believed to be factors in the collision. Ignacio had not been wearing his seatbelt while Stark and her passenger had used theirs.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers are continuing the investigation and autopsies have been ordered to determine the exact cause of the deaths.

This was the 13th and 14th traffic fatalities so far this year on the Big Island, compared to nine at the same time last year.